Karen Kincaid Brady has been appointed as the new executive director of the New Mexico Museum of Space History, effective October 27, 2025. The announcement was made by the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and the museum's commission.
Debra Garcia y Griego, cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, expressed enthusiasm about Brady's appointment: "We are thrilled to welcome Karen to the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Her combined expertise in history, preservation, and museum leadership, paired with her lifelong passion for space history, will help inspire future generations through the remarkable story of New Mexico’s role in space exploration."
Brady brings over ten years of experience in museum management and historic preservation. She previously worked as business and programming director at the Neill-Cochran House Museum in Austin, Texas. There she managed operations and community partnerships. Before that role, she was a project manager at R&K Solutions, Inc., where she led preservation projects resulting in exhibitions like one at Jacksonville's Museum of Science and History.
Reflecting on her new position, Brady said: "My love for space history began during my childhood visits to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. Joining the New Mexico Museum of Space History feels like coming full circle. I’m excited to continue advancing the museum’s mission to share the stories of innovation, exploration, and discovery that define both New Mexico and our journey into space."
As executive director, Brady will manage operations, exhibitions, research, and educational programs at the museum located in Alamogordo. The institution is dedicated to preserving New Mexico's contributions to space exploration.
Brady holds master’s degrees from both the University of Texas at Austin and San Antonio. Her academic work includes a study titled "Preservation Moon," which focuses on preserving Tranquility Base's cultural landscape.
The museum is part of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is a Smithsonian Affiliate showcasing New Mexico's significant role in U.S. space development.
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